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Spain abortion law spurs rally, march to parliament

Tens of thousands of people marched to Spain's parliament on Saturday to protest the conservative government's new law that aims to restrict abortion, allowing the practice only in cases of rape or serious risk to health.

Tens of thousands protest law aimed at restricting abortions in the country

Thousands of people march to protest a government plan to limit abortions in Madrid February 1, 2014. Andrea Comas (Andrea Comas/Reuters)

Tens of thousands of people marched to Spain's parliament on Saturday to protest the conservative government's new law that aims to restrict abortion, allowing the practice only in cases of rape or serious risk to health.

The rally was organized by dozens of women's groups and entities that fight for reproductive rights.

Reproductive rights

The previous Socialist government made abortion before the 14th week widely legal. But the ruling Popular Party has long sided with the Roman Catholic Church on moral and social issues and made changing the law one of its main promises in the 2011 vote that brought it to power.

The law needs parliamentary approval where the Popular Party has a large majority.

"I am fighting for the rights of our children because I am 60 years old already and this no longer affects me directly," protester Pilar Rubio said.

I am fighting for the rights of our children because I am 60 years old already and this no longer affects me directly,- Pilar Rubio, protester

Cristina Bermejo, 31, said she felt the introduction of the new law would set Spanish society back 40 years.

"In the rest of Europe, where previously many viewed us as an example of freedom and civil rights, now, they are questioning us, asking what on earth we are doing," Bermejo said.

A separate protest against Spain's new abortion law also took place near the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

Among the protesters was Anne Hidalgo, Socialist candidate for mayor, and Inna Shevchenko of the Ukrainian branch of the feminist group Femen.